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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 5:27:40 GMT
Chelsea, nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, entertain the boys from across the river in what should be a heated affair. Chelsea will be out for revenge on the team responsible for their last league defeat way back in September 2016 (3-0 at the Emirates Stadium)
It's a lunchtime kick off (12.30pm GMT - 07.30 CET) so there's little time for the fans to enjoy a drink or several - but with the lip-smacking prospect of the game itself, the barmaids can wait. 2-1 Chelsea for me.
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Post by Tunaman09 on Feb 4, 2017 5:50:11 GMT
I'm thinking either 1-1 or 2-1 to Chelsea,
But sitting on fences is no fun so... 2-1 to Chelsea.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 5:56:17 GMT
Yes, can see Arsenal scoring but Chelsea scoring more. Should be a cracker.
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 4, 2017 8:03:54 GMT
I think Chelsea should come on top. Arsenal have been too inconsistent and the home advantage should be enough for Chelsea.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2017 9:39:08 GMT
I've gone for Chelsea on this one.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 11:41:37 GMT
Here's today's line-ups : Chelsea (3-4-3) Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard. Substitutes: Begovic, Terry, Zouma, Chalobah, Fabregas, Willian, Batshuayi.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez. Substitutes: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Maitland-Niles, Welbeck, Giroud, Reine-Adelaide.
Referee Martin Atkinson.
The bookies go CFC 11/10 AFC 3/1 Draw 23/10
And here's Rob Smyth, our footy journo, with some topical preamble to get us in the mood :
"Hello. This is a must-win match for Arsenal. And Spurs. And Liverpool. And the Manchester clubs. And neutrals. If there’s to be any hope of a title race this season, Arsenal must surely beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today. Chelsea don’t play another of the Big Six until they host Manchester City on 5 April; if they avoid defeat today they will probably be on the cusp of their sixth league championship when that match comes around.
A twist should not be completely discounted, if only because the reverse fixture prompted the most significant twist of the season so far. Chelsea were so bad in the first half at the Emirates, when a 0-3 scoreline flattered them, that Antonio Conte switched to three at the back in the second half. Chelsea drew the second half 0-0 and then won their next 13 league games, just because they could, to move well clear of a group who are packed like sardines from second to sixth. Ruined a bloody good title race, Chelsea have.
They have had a tricky run since then, with trips to Spurs, Leicester and Liverpool in January, but are still nine points clear. It is hard to see any team managed by the entirely magnificent Conte doing a Devon Loch, so the process of reeling them in needs to start now."
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TheSowIsMine
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Post by TheSowIsMine on Feb 4, 2017 12:00:56 GMT
2-1 to Chelsea.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 12:47:03 GMT
Costa strikes the bar but Pedro is there to nod the rebound home with a quarter of an hour gone.
Chelsea have been looking a little nervy at the back but Pedro's pot should settle them.
1-0
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 13:23:02 GMT
It's half time and Arsene Wenger, watching from the stands, must be wondering what he has to do to galvanize his troops in the second half. AFC enjoyed a lively last seven or eight minutes but are struggling to outwit Chelsea in any department. The fact that CFC have Willian on the bench and at their disposal will not help the AFC cause here.
Half Time book : CFC 1/3 AFC 10/1 Draw 7/2
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TheSowIsMine
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Post by TheSowIsMine on Feb 4, 2017 13:44:29 GMT
2-0 Nice charge to the goal.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 13:46:43 GMT
2-0
Arsenal lose possession in the Chelsea half and Costa heads it over the halfway line to Hazard who slices through one, two, three Arsenal defenders and slots it beyond Cech for an outstanding individual goal in the 54th minute.
What a stunner.
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TheSowIsMine
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Post by TheSowIsMine on Feb 4, 2017 14:08:25 GMT
Nice save by Courtois.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 14:17:51 GMT
Revenge! A dreadful attempted clearance by Cech only finds Fabregas who pounces and punishes late into the game. 3-0
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Post by mangekyoalleluia on Feb 4, 2017 14:25:10 GMT
Dang you guys move fast.
Anyway, another Chelsea match, another disappointment.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 4, 2017 14:25:12 GMT
3-1 final score. Giroud pulled one back for AFC but for now Chelsea go 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League. In the 3pm (10am CET) kick off Liverpool can reduce the gap to 10 with a win over Hull, and at 5.30 pm Spurs can reduce it to 9 by collecting the points at home to Middlesborough.
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 5, 2017 11:23:34 GMT
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 5, 2017 11:24:57 GMT
test
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 5, 2017 11:27:46 GMT
ah, for YouTube links you click the clapperboard (insert video)
Now that's what I call a manager celebrating, eh? No sound on You Tube for this clip but you can see is passion. Unfortunately it cuts out before Conte hugs even the steward!!
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Post by staggerstag on Feb 5, 2017 11:32:14 GMT
How do you link non video stuff then?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2017 11:33:16 GMT
How do you link non video stuff then? The globe and paper symbol.
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